TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - A federal court ruled the Department of Veterans Affairs got it wrong when it deprived tens of thousands of Vietnam Veterans the benefits they deserve.

In an 8-3 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals decided Navy Veterans of the Vietnam War are absolutely entitled to Agent Orange related medical and disability benefits.

Alfred Procopio, a Veteran who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid off the coast the Vietnam, suffers from diabetes and prostate cancer, two diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA denied his claim, pointing out that Procopio never stepped foot in Vietnam.

The Court of Appeals pointed out in its decision that Congress was specific when it passed the Agent Orange Act in 1991, to include "active military, naval, or air service... in the Republic of Vietnam."

The court decided Procopio served in Vietnam's territorial waters which are part of the "Republic of Vietnam."

The ruling affects between 50,000 to 90,000 Navy Veterans the VA excluded from benefits.

For nearly 20 years, the VA presumed that members of the military who served on the ground during the Vietnam War were exposed to the toxic herbicide.

Agent Orange killed and made ill thousands of service members.

The VA provided medical care and disability benefits to those who developed diseases linked to the toxic weed killer.

However, it excluded Navy Veterans like Mike Kvintus of New Port Richey, who served along the coast of Vietnam.

Kvintus' ship also anchored in Vietnam harbors.

"We've been fighting them since 2001," Kvintus stated.

Blue Water Navy Veterans argue Agent Orange ran into rivers and streams, ending up in Vietnam's bays and harbors.